The performer known online as "Dada Joe Remix" built a following with music and viral social-media clips. This week he entered a very different kind of spotlight: a federal courtroom, where he pleaded guilty to a conspiracy that prosecutors say drained roughly $4.4 million from elderly Americans through fake online romances and phantom inheritances. It is a stark reminder that a so-called "romance scam" is not a harmless con — it is federal wire fraud, and Texas treats the same conduct as a serious felony, with extra penalties when the victims are older.
What Happened
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona, as reported by GhanaWeb, Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng — known as "Dada Joe Remix" — pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors said he and co-conspirators ran a romance-and-inheritance fraud scheme from 2013 through March 2023, targeting elderly victims in Arizona and across the United States. The conspirators allegedly pretended to be in online romantic relationships with victims and falsely claimed an "inheritance" of gold and jewels that could only be released after the victims paid taxes and fees. Boateng agreed to pay approximately $4.4 million in restitution, and his sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2026.
This article is L & L Law Group's general legal commentary on a national news story. We do not represent anyone involved, we have no inside knowledge of this case, and nothing here is a statement of fact about any individual. Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Wire Fraud Is a Federal Felony
When a fraud scheme uses phones, text messages, email, or the internet across state lines, it becomes federal wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343. Each wire communication in furtherance of the scheme can be charged as a separate count, and the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison per count — rising to 30 years if the fraud affects a financial institution. Conspiracy to commit wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1349 carries the same maximum as the underlying offense. Federal cases are prosecuted in U.S. District Court, and North Texas defendants would answer in the Northern District of Texas, which sits in Dallas and covers Frisco and the surrounding DFW area.
How Texas Prosecutes the Same Conduct
The identical scheme can also be charged under Texas law. Texas theft under Penal Code § 31.03 follows a value ladder, and a loss in the millions is a first-degree felony — punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison. Texas also has a specific statute for this exact fact pattern: Penal Code § 32.53, Exploitation of a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual, which makes it a third-degree felony to unlawfully use an elderly person's resources for gain. Related charges can include securing execution of a document by deception (§ 32.46) and money laundering (§ 34.02) when proceeds are moved to disguise their source.
Why Elderly Victims Trigger Enhanced Penalties
Both state and federal systems treat crimes against older adults more harshly. Federal sentencing guidelines add enhancements for targeting vulnerable victims and for the number of victims and total loss amount. Texas § 32.53 exists precisely because the Legislature singled out exploitation of the elderly for felony treatment. Prosecutors frequently stack these theories — a single scheme can produce federal wire-fraud counts, a Texas first-degree theft charge, and an elder-exploitation count all at once.
Defenses in a Fraud Case
Fraud prosecutions turn on intent and knowledge. A defense examines whether the accused actually knew the representations were false and specifically intended to defraud, or was an unwitting participant used by others in the scheme. Other issues include the reliability of tracing money through accounts, whether the government can prove the defendant's role in each charged wire, the accuracy of the claimed loss amount (which drives both sentencing and restitution), and constitutional questions about how evidence and any statements were obtained. Because loss amount and victim count so heavily influence the sentence, contesting those figures is often as important as contesting guilt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a romance scam really a felony?
Yes. Using electronic communications to trick someone out of money is federal wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and the same conduct is felony theft under Texas law. The romantic framing does not change the legal analysis.
Can someone be charged in both state and federal court?
Potentially. Federal and state governments are separate sovereigns, so the same scheme can, in some circumstances, lead to charges in both systems. In practice, prosecutors often coordinate, but the exposure exists.
What does restitution mean in a fraud case?
Restitution is a court order to repay victims their actual losses. It is separate from any prison sentence or fine, and in federal fraud cases it is generally mandatory. A $4.4 million restitution figure reflects the loss the government attributes to the scheme.
Why are penalties higher when victims are elderly?
Texas Penal Code § 32.53 specifically criminalizes exploiting elderly individuals, and federal sentencing guidelines add enhancements for targeting vulnerable victims. Lawmakers treat elder fraud as especially serious.
How L & L Law Group Can Help
A wire-fraud or theft allegation involving large losses and elderly victims can expose a person to decades in prison, seven-figure restitution, and parallel state and federal charges. At L & L Law Group, PLLC, we dig into the intent and knowledge elements, challenge the government's loss calculations, and fight to keep one scheme from becoming a stack of overlapping felonies. If you or a loved one is facing a fraud, theft, or elder-exploitation charge in Frisco, Collin County, or anywhere in the DFW area, call us at (972) 370-5060 for a confidential consultation.
By Reggie London and Njeri London.